DEALS

Rays minor leaguer Sale suspended for 50 games

Tampa Bay Rays' outfielder Josh Sale is seen during a winter development program in January in St. Petersburg. Sale has been suspended for 50 games after teting positive for a drug of abuse. CHRIS URSO/STAFF

ARLINGTON, Texas – Rays minor league prospect Josh Sale received his second 50-game suspension, this time for a second positive test for a drug of abuse in violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The announcement came Tuesday by the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball.

Sale was suspended 50 games at the end of the 2012 season for testing positive for methamphetamine/amphetamine.

He was also suspended indefinitely by the organization last season for conduct detrimental to the organization after a Facebook post that he threw quarters at strippers.

Sale was reinstated this season and was playing at Class A Charlotte.

Sale was the 17th overall pick in the 2010 draft out of Seattle’s Bishop Blanchet High.

He missed all of the 2013 season while finishing his first 50-game suspension and then served the organization’s suspension.

Sale was permitted to attend the Rays prospect camp in January and talked about his suspension.

“I was able to grow up,” he told reporters. “That’s what was really needed to be worked on. Just me as a person, doing what I could do to better myself, because nobody’s bigger than the game. The game’s bigger than everybody. Making myself a better person off the field will greater my chances to produce well on the field.”

Sale hit .238 with four home runs and 46 RBI this season for the Stone Crabs. He compiled a .238 average during 224 minor league games over three seasons.